Greece Faces Rising Tide of Migrant Sea Rescues

Greek authorities have rescued over 170 migrants from makeshift boats along the southern tip of the country in three days, highlighting a growing route used by traffickers. Migrants from Libya head to Greece via the perilous sea journey amid rising migrant arrivals over the past year.

Greek authorities report a surge in migrant rescues as over 170 individuals were found in makeshift boats near the southern tip of the country within three days, indicating a rise in trafficking routes.

On Wednesday, Greece's coast guard confirmed that a Filipino-flagged tanker rescued 29 people from a boat located 65 nautical miles south of Crete. Additional rescues were performed by a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship, which saved 45 people overnight, 42 nautical miles south of Gavdos island.

A speedboat carrying migrants was intercepted by patrols near Tilos island on Tuesday, with the driver grounding the vessel on a beach before escaping. Authorities arrested a Moldovan suspect and located 31 migrants on foot.

(With inputs from agencies.)